AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes,” Cassie’s smile was rich with indulgent amusement. “If you knew her, you’d understand.”
Layth felt a tinge of emptiness at her words. He would never know this magical Aunt Jude. He would never know more about Cassie than this tiny window of time allowed. He held her close, and valued that single moment. The future would come soon enough, but for now, this was his life.
* * *
He was angry again. Just like the first time she’d seen him.
She studied him surreptitiously as he spoke into his cell phone.
He was employing his own language, so she couldn’t understand a word of what he was discussing. But when he disconnected the call, she was left in little doubt that the call had related to her in some way.
His eyes were watchful, his expression dark.
She shivered a little.
He’d held her all night, as though the strength of his embrace could patch over the horror of her childhood. How could he know he had been doing that from the first moment they’d met? What she’d taken as a bit of fun had turned out to be the most important decision in her life.
“I have to go downstairs in an hour.”
“You have to? I wouldn’t have thought you have to do anything, Your Highness,” she teased lightly.
He grimaced. “I apologise, Cassie. I would like nothing better than to stay with you all day. This is beyond my control.”
“Don’t be silly. I can keep myself busy. Is everything okay?” She thought of his uncle, and hoped against hope that Layth hadn’t received bad news.
His grim smile was difficult to interpret. “I will be as quick as I am able, and then return to you.”
Cassie bit down on her lip. “What is it Layth? What’s happened?”
She was sitting with her knees curled to her chest, her cheek propped on them. Her hair flowed down her back. Layth wanted nothing more than to pull her to him. To continue holding her as he had done the night before.
“You said something is beyond your control?” She prompted, her worry increasing in the face of his silence.
Layth puffed out an angry sigh. “Yes. Arja.”
“Arja?” Her blue eyes were wide as they scanned his. In the last twenty four hours, she’d almost completely forgotten about these other women. About the fact she was simply borrowing Layth.
“She wishes to have another meeting.” He compressed his lips. “I suspect my mother has meddled, and given her the impression she has the edge. Arja no doubt wants me to make a selection so she can begin making plans.”
“Of course,” Cassie mumbled, biting her lower lip. “That makes sense.” She stood a little jerkily.
She was hurting. He was hurting her. He felt pain in his gut. It was the last thing he’d wanted.
But he knew his duty to Takisabad, and what was required of him.
“You do not have to leave the apartment.”
Yes I do, she thought desperately, unable to bear the thought of being in the same building as the other woman.
Her smile was clearly an imitation of acceptance. “It’s fine. It’s a perfect morning to go for a run.” She was mentally removing herself from him. She needed to. Despite their closeness, there would forever be this estrangement. “I’ll go running, then I’ll get coffee, and I’ll come back when you’re through.” Another forced smile. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to act as though you’re doing something wrong. We both knew the score, Layth.” She looked at him, pleading him to let her go without an argument. “Nothing’s changed. I’m still not looking for anything more than this, and you still need a suitable wife. So stop worrying.”
If only he could.
He watched through the open door as she changed into her gym gear and pulled her long blonde hair into a high ponytail in the middle of her head. Her shoes were the most ridiculous shade of apple green – bright and happy, like she had been when he’d met her. Of course, a lot had happened since then. He’d seen past that flirtatious, easy-going façade to the real woman.
“I’ll see you soon,” she called as she stalked quickly through the suite. She didn’t come to him. She didn’t kiss him goodbye. And he knew the reason for her swift departure. Cassandra Walton was about to cry, and she was too damned proud to let him see that.
